Intel and AMD integrate Intel CPU with AMD GPU and it has put blogosphere on fire
Intel is the best in making powerful yet power efficient CPUs for desktops and laptops while AMD is best in making integrated GPUs for laptops and desktops. What if we have a processor that has Intel’s CPU and AMD’s GPU. That would be the best of both worlds and that is exactly what the new MCM is going to be. No one would’ve ever thought that this would happen. Intel’s first multi-chip module (MCM) is a 14nm Coffee Lake-H CPU die with custom-made 14nm GPU die by AMD that is based on Vega architecture. This architecture significantly reduces board footprint enabling new ultraportable notebooks with far more powerful graphics processing and better heat management. Intel expects the new product to launch in the first quarter of 2018.
“Our collaboration with Intel expands the installed base for AMD Radeon GPUs and brings to market a differentiated solution for high-performance graphics,” said Scott Herkelman, vice president and general manager, AMD Radeon Technologies Group. “Together we are offering gamers and content creators the opportunity to have a thinner-and-lighter PC capable of delivering discrete performance-tier graphics experiences in AAA games and content creation applications. This new semi-custom GPU puts the performance and capabilities of Radeon graphics into the hands of an expanded set of enthusiasts who want the best visual experience possible.”
The key component of the design is Embedded Multi-Die Interconnect Bridge (EMIB), a tinay intelligent bridge that allows heterogeneous silicon to pass information in close proximity. By eliminating height impact as well as manufacturing/design complexities, EMIB enabled powerful and efficient products in smaller sizes compared to current generation products. Power sharing framework is tailor-made by Intel to share power between processor (CPU) and graphics subsystem (GPU) to maintain perfect balance. Intel will allow system designers to adjust ration of power-sharing between processor and graphics based on workload.
